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 ISU is in search of its first win against a nationally ranked
team since the Redbirds beat No. 5 Arkansas on Feb. 24, 2007. Illinois
State has already faced one nationally ranked opponent this season,
losing to then-No. 10 Miami 11-6 in Coral Gables, Fla., on March 13.
Tuesday's game marks ISU's third against a Big Ten Conference foe.
Illinois State has gone 2-1 against the Big Ten so far this season,
with wins against Iowa and Illinois, and a loss to the Fighting
Illini.
The Redbirds will try to extend their winning streak to three after
taking the final two games of last weekend's Missouri Valley
Conference series against Bradley. Ty Wiesemeyer led Illinois State
with a .471 batting average, a .824 slugging percentage and a .526
on-base percentage last week in ISU's four games against in-state
rivals Illinois and Bradley. He collected a team-high 10 RBI, with
three extra-base hits, including a grand slam, a triple and a
double. Wiesemeyer also scored four runs and drew two walks.
Illinois State's offense continues to rank among the top in the
Missouri Valley Conference. ISU now leads the Valley with a .308
batting average, a .450 slugging percentage and a .408 on-base
percentage. The Redbirds are also averaging 7.8 runs per contest,
which is the second-highest mark in the Valley. On the other hand,
ISU's team ERA of 5.28 is the highest in the league.
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Purdue is batting .327 collectively with a .447 slugging
percentage and a .391 on-base mark. Cameron Perkins is leading
the offense with a .384 average, including 43 RBIs. He is also
slugging .570 with a .425 on-base percentage. The Boilermakers'
pitching staff has also combined for a 3.09 ERA. Purdue is
scheduled to start right-hander Robert Ramer (4-0, 3.16 ERA),
while the Redbirds will counter with right-hander Brad Sorkin
(2-2, 4.93 ERA).
Admission to Tuesday's game, along with every game at Duffy Bass
Field this season will be free. The game will also feature $1
hot dogs.
[Text from
news release received from John Twork, graduate assistant,
athletics communications, Illinois State University]
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